Blood on the Crosswalk: Demand 20 MPH, Not More Excuses

Hundreds rode through Manhattan. They protested NYPD’s push to criminalize minor bike infractions. Delivery riders, many undocumented, face court summonses for sidewalk riding and red lights. Judges toss charges. Police say it’s about compliance. Riders say it’s about targeting.

West Side Spirit reported on June 2, 2025, that hundreds of cyclists protested in Manhattan against the NYPD’s new policy of issuing criminal court summonses for minor bike infractions. The crackdown targets delivery workers, especially undocumented riders, for offenses like sidewalk riding and nonstandard bike setups. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended the move, stating, 'When it comes to traffic safety, compliance is not optional.' Protesters and advocates argue the policy is discriminatory and escalates minor violations, risking severe consequences for vulnerable workers. Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives called it 'really inappropriate escalation.' The article highlights confusion over traffic rules and the risk of criminalization for actions previously handled as civil matters, raising questions about enforcement priorities and the impact on immigrant communities.

• Cyclists Rally Against NYPD Crackdown, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-06-02

Hundreds rode through Manhattan. They called out harsh summonses for e-bike riders. Police target cyclists with criminal charges for minor traffic moves. Drivers get tickets. Riders face court. The city’s rules hit the vulnerable. The streets stay dangerous.

Gothamist (2025-05-31) reports on a protest in Lower Manhattan against the NYPD’s policy of issuing criminal summonses to e-bike riders for traffic violations like running red lights or riding against traffic. Cyclists and advocates argue the penalties are harsher than those faced by drivers for similar actions. As one protester said, “It seems unfair to me that cyclists should receive a higher penalty for doing the same thing that a person in a car would do.” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended the crackdown, citing the lack of licensing for e-bikes as a challenge for enforcement, but acknowledged the need for legislative reform. The article highlights inconsistent enforcement and the risks faced by vulnerable road users, especially delivery workers. Policy gaps and unequal penalties expose systemic danger on city streets.

• E-Bike Riders Protest NYPD Crackdown, Gothamist, Published 2025-05-31

A sedan hit a man on Bleecker Street. The pedestrian, 26, bled from the head and drifted semiconscious. The car’s left front bumper took the blow. No driver error listed. The street stayed hard and unforgiving.

A 26-year-old man walking outside the intersection at 283 Bleecker Street in Manhattan was struck by a sedan traveling east. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, and was semiconscious at the scene. The car’s left front bumper was damaged. The report lists no specific driver error or contributing factor. Other occupants in the vehicle were not reported injured. The data shows the pedestrian was in the roadway but not at an intersection, performing 'other actions.' No helmet or signaling issues are cited. The crash underscores the danger pedestrians face, even when driver fault is not specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814350, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.

amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.

• Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers, amny, Published 2025-05-04

A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.

According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.

• E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-03

A man on an e-bike struck a van door on Broome Street. The door swung open. He fell into the path of a box truck. The truck ran him over. Medics tried to save him. He died at Bellevue Hospital.

NY Daily News reported on May 1, 2025, that an e-bike rider died in Manhattan after being doored by a Mercedes van and then run over by a box truck. The crash happened around 10:10 a.m. on Broome Street near Centre Street. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy. I only saw the accident." The collision forced the cyclist into the path of a red delivery truck, which then struck him. The 54-year-old truck driver stayed at the scene. Police had not determined if charges would be filed. The article highlights the lethal risk of dooring and the vulnerability of cyclists in mixed traffic. The incident underscores systemic dangers at curbside and the consequences of inattentive door opening.

• E-Bike Rider Killed After Van Door Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-01

Assembly Bill 7997 pushes more speed cameras onto city streets. It aims at drivers who hide or alter plates. The bill extends camera use in school zones. Deborah Glick leads. The move cracks down on scofflaws. Vulnerable road users watch. Law waits for action.

Assembly Bill A 7997, sponsored by Deborah Glick of District 66, sits at the sponsorship stage in the Assembly as of April 17, 2025. The bill, titled 'Relates to the use of certain photo speed violation monitoring systems for the purposes of enforcement of license plate obstruction; repealer,' permits the use of photo speed violation monitoring systems in New York City to enforce against license plate obstruction, concealment, and distortion. It also extends the use of speed cameras in certain school zones. Glick’s sponsorship signals a push to hold drivers accountable for hiding plates and dodging enforcement. The bill’s focus is clear: more cameras, less cover for reckless drivers. No official safety analyst note has been provided.

• File A 7997, Open States, Published 2025-04-17

Including Thursday's deadly crash, 25 people have been killed in New York City sightseeing helicopter accidents in the last 40 years.

• Lawmakers aim to make changes after New York City sightseeing helicopter crash, ABC7, Published 2025-04-11

A man lay bleeding in the crosswalk at Lafayette and Bleecker after a southbound cyclist hit him in the head and rode on. The street stayed quiet. The impact left the pedestrian semiconscious, blood pooling on the pavement.

A 54-year-old man was struck in the head by a southbound cyclist at the intersection of Lafayette Street and Bleecker Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The pedestrian was left semiconscious and bleeding severely in the crosswalk. The report states the cyclist did not stop after the collision. Police cite 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The cyclist's bike showed no damage, but the impact left the pedestrian with a serious head injury. The report does not list any pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor. The incident underscores the ongoing danger to people on foot when drivers—regardless of vehicle type—fail to yield and pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801050, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Ford SUV swung right on Waverly Place. The driver, distracted, plowed into a 55-year-old man crossing with the light. Bone met bumper. The man stayed conscious. His knee and foot shattered. The SUV rolled on, undamaged.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV turned right on Waverly Place near Broadway and struck a 55-year-old man who was crossing with the signal. The report states the pedestrian was hit in the leg by the bumper, resulting in crush injuries to his knee and foot. The pedestrian remained conscious at the scene. Police explicitly cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor in the crash. The pedestrian was crossing with the light, as documented in the report, and was located at the intersection. The SUV sustained no damage. The report does not list any pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor, keeping the focus on the driver's failure to pay attention during the turn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800189, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A man emerged from behind a parked SUV on 7th Avenue. A sedan, moving too fast, struck him. His pelvis broke. He stayed conscious on the asphalt as traffic and city life pressed on. The street did not pause.

A 26-year-old man was seriously injured on 7th Avenue near West 13th Street in Manhattan when a sedan, traveling at unsafe speed, struck him as he stepped from behind a parked SUV. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered 'crush injuries' to his pelvis and remained conscious at the scene. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in the collision. The sedan’s impact was severe, shattering the man’s pelvis and leaving him on the roadway as other vehicles continued past. The police narrative states: 'A man stepped from behind a parked SUV. A speeding sedan struck him hard. His pelvis shattered.' The pedestrian was not at an intersection when the crash occurred. The report does not cite any contributing actions by the victim beyond his location and movement. The focus remains on the driver’s excessive speed, which directly led to the violent outcome.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798757, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Dodge Charger slammed a street sweeper, then veered. The car pinned a police officer against a cruiser on Seventh Avenue. Sirens wailed. Both men landed in the hospital. Metal, glass, blood. Charges are pending. The street stayed dangerous.

ABC7 reported on March 14, 2025, that a 26-year-old police officer was struck by a Dodge Charger in Greenwich Village. The Charger, traveling south on Seventh Avenue, hit a street sweeper before losing control and pinning the officer against a marked police vehicle. According to ABC7, 'The officer was pinned between the Charger and a marked police vehicle.' Both the officer and the driver were hospitalized in stable condition. The driver is in custody with charges pending. The incident highlights the risk posed by vehicles losing control on busy city streets and underscores the ongoing danger to people on foot, even those in uniform.

• Officer Pinned By Out-Of-Control Charger, ABC7, Published 2025-03-14

A taxi struck a baby boy crossing East 11th Street. The front end crumpled. Blood pooled from his head. He lay semiconscious on the pavement as dusk fell and the city watched, silent and still.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling west on East 11th Street near Third Avenue struck a baby boy who was crossing outside the crosswalk. The report describes the vehicle's center front end as the point of impact, with damage matching the collision. The child suffered a head injury, severe bleeding, and was found semiconscious on the pavement. The narrative notes, 'His head bled. He lay on the pavement, semiconscious, as the light dimmed and the street watched in silence.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are explicitly cited in the report, but the collision occurred as the taxi proceeded straight ahead and the pedestrian was not at an intersection. The focus remains on the impact and the systemic danger faced by vulnerable pedestrians in city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797705, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Assembly bill A 1236 targets drivers who block bike lanes. It adds a mandatory surcharge for parking violations. The money goes to the court that finds the driver liable. Lawmakers push to keep bike lanes clear. Streets stay safer for cyclists.

Assembly bill A 1236 was introduced on January 10, 2025. The bill is in the sponsorship stage. It is titled: 'Relates to violations and a mandatory surcharge for parking in a bicycle lane.' The bill would require drivers who park in bike lanes to pay a mandatory surcharge. The surcharge is paid to the clerk of the court or administrative tribunal that determines liability. Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon (District 52) is the primary sponsor. Deborah Glick (District 66) and Tony Simone (District 75) co-sponsor. The bill aims to deter illegal parking in bike lanes and keep routes clear for cyclists. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 1236, Open States, Published 2025-01-10

A Ford sedan fleeing police tore through LaGuardia Place and struck a westbound cyclist. The man flew from his bike, blood pooling as he lay broken and incoherent. Sirens wailed. The car’s front end crumpled against the city’s cold pavement.

According to the police report, a Ford sedan, pursued by police, disregarded traffic control and struck a 44-year-old man riding a bicycle westbound on LaGuardia Place near West 3rd Street. The cyclist was ejected from his bike, suffering severe bleeding and injuries to his entire body. The report describes the victim as incoherent at the scene. The sedan's front end sustained significant damage. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors, underscoring driver error and systemic danger. No contributing factors are attributed to the cyclist. The crash unfolded in Manhattan's 10012 zip code, with the impact and aftermath described in stark, physical terms by responding officers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780933, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two bikes collided head-on at speed on E 1st Street and 2nd Avenue. A 48-year-old man hit the pavement, his face torn, blood pouring. Confusion and sirens filled the night. The street fell silent in the aftermath.

Two bicycles crashed head-on at speed at the corner of E 1st Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan, according to the police report. The collision left a 48-year-old male bicyclist with severe facial injuries and heavy bleeding. The police report states, 'Two bikes met head-on at speed. A 48-year-old man hit the pavement, face torn, blood spilling. Confusion in the dark. Sirens rose.' The official contributing factors listed are 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The report highlights confusion and excessive speed as central to the crash. No mention is made of helmet use or other victim behaviors as contributing factors. The impact underscores the danger when speed and confusion intersect on city streets, leaving vulnerable road users exposed to grave harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776278, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 69-year-old cyclist collided with an open BMW door near Church Street. Blood streaked his face. The driver, distracted, looked away. The street froze. The wound cut deep. Silence hung heavy in Manhattan’s morning air.

According to the police report, a 69-year-old male cyclist was injured on Park Place near Church Street when he struck the open door of a parked BMW sedan. The incident occurred at 8:50 a.m. in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered severe facial lacerations, with blood running down his face as described in the narrative. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The BMW driver, licensed in New Jersey, was present and reportedly looked away at the moment of impact. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but helmet use is not cited as a contributing factor in the police report. The focus remains on the driver’s inattention and the systemic danger posed by inattentive dooring in dense city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773079, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A distracted bus driver rolled through West 14th and 7th. Metal struck a man stepping down. His face split. Blood pooled on the curb. The bus did not stop. The city’s machinery moved on, unmarked, leaving pain behind.

A pedestrian was severely injured at the corner of West 14th Street and 7th Avenue in Manhattan when a bus, traveling north, struck him as he was getting off a vehicle. According to the police report, the bus driver was inattentive and distracted at the time of the crash. The narrative states, 'The bus did not stop. Metal passed flesh. His face tore open. Blood pooled near the curb. The driver was distracted. The bus rolled on, unmarked.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor. The 46-year-old man suffered severe facial lacerations and remained conscious at the scene. No mention is made of any pedestrian error or behavior contributing to the crash. The bus sustained no damage, and the driver continued without stopping, underscoring the lethal consequences of driver distraction in New York City’s dense streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747288, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A taxi tore through Bowery, striking a 79-year-old woman in the crosswalk. She died on the sunlit concrete, blood pooling, engines idling. The cab’s nose crumpled. The city’s rhythm never faltered. Another life ended beneath steel and glass.

A 79-year-old woman was killed at the intersection of East 4th Street and Bowery in Manhattan when a taxi struck her as she crossed the street. According to the police report, the collision occurred at 13:37 and resulted in a fatal head wound. The report states the driver’s actions included 'Traffic Control Disregarded,' highlighting a failure to obey traffic signals. The taxi’s center front end bore the impact, its nose crumpled from the force. The pedestrian was described as 'crossing against the signal,' but this detail appears only after the driver’s error is cited. The scene was marked by blood on hot concrete and the persistent hum of engines, underscoring the relentless danger faced by those on foot. No other contributing factors were listed for the driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735570, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Charles Komanoff, veteran traffic reformer, pressed Assembly Member Deborah Glick to oppose payroll tax hikes and defend congestion pricing. He invoked decades of lost lives—pedestrians, cyclists—arguing congestion pricing cuts danger and keeps streets fair. He called tax hikes regressive, congestion pricing just.

On June 7, 2024, Charles Komanoff, a longtime congestion pricing advocate, issued an open letter to Assembly Member Deborah Glick. He urged her to vote no on revenue alternatives to congestion pricing, especially a proposed Payroll Mobility Tax (PMT) increase. Komanoff wrote, 'what motivates me...to demand congestion pricing is its power to act as a counterweight to cars and trucks and driving and traffic.' He called the PMT hike regressive, unlike congestion pricing, and warned it would undermine safer, fairer streets. The advocacy statement, published by Streetsblog NYC, highlights Komanoff’s decades of work driven by the deaths of pedestrians and cyclists. He pressed Glick to keep congestion pricing viable, framing it as the effective, equitable path for vulnerable road users.

• Komanoff: For Congestion Pricing, I’ll Eat Crow, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-07